UK Cityslicker Marianne: The Nottingham Skateboarding Scene with the Fisheye2 and Actionsampler!

UK Cityslicker Marianne learns about skateboarding in Nottingham with the Fisheye2 and Actionsampler. Take a look at her pictures after the jump!

Forty Two

When Lomography asked me to write about the skateboarding scene in Nottingham, my first thought was: I don’t know anything about it! In order to learn more about skateboarding in Nottingham I went to Forty Two, an independent skate shop in the city centre that stocks small independent names like Fresh, Aoyagi and Acab. Forty two is run by Scott and Rob who, as avid skateboarders themselves, use their decades of experience to advise their customers.

However, their shop (that has a ramp in the basement) is more than just a place to buy all the necessities. When I was there, I also noticed it was a lively meeting place for skateboarders.

The basement ramp

Indeed, Scott, who has been skateboarding since he was 9 years old, told me that one of their hopes is to unite and solidify the “fragmented” Nottingham skate scene which had dispersed to small parks in the suburbs when new laws discouraged skateboarding in the Old Market Square. Although the transition style skate parks in the likes of Hyson Green, Mansfield Plaza and Valley Road are valued, skateboarders of Nottingham are still in need of a city centre park that truly encompasses the street furniture of steps, hedges and handrails and provides a place where both skateboarders and non-skateboarders can hang out and watch the action.

Regarding skateboarding in general, Scott says it “is like being in a family, it transcends all ages and skill levels. It’s a friendly community where everyone’s welcome, it’s about having a go and getting involved.” He tells me. “It’s not about being the best, everyone has individual talents”.

Dylan, Jake and Romello

To understand more about the skateboarding scene in Nottingham, three young skateboarders Dylan Cutts, Jake Smith and Romello Fothergill educated me by allowing me to photograph and interview them. I was also fortunate enough to interview up and coming Nottingham talent Alex Hallford, read about him here.

When I asked about their personal experiences of skateboarding Dylan says “you can’t just call it a sport, you don’t start skateboarding to try and become professional, you skate to just enjoy it.”

Romello tells me “I got into it as a way to escape people and school. The first time I skateboarded I landed straight on my arse but you get back up… You see a chair, I see something I can hippy jump. You see a set of stairs, I see a trick. Skateboarders don’t stop moving. No matter what we do is skating related.”

For these guys, skateboarding also bonds them; “You can stop right next to someone and say ‘what you trying’ and instantly you’re like ‘try this with me and try this with me’ and then the friendship just goes boom. The one thing that always gets a friendship started is: game of skates”

So, what I’ve learnt as a non-skateboarder is that skateboarding can be more than just tricks and flips, it’s a lifestyle that can unite people from all walks of life. On the 21st of June, skateboarders all over the world will be united in dropping everything else and jumping on their boards for Go Skateboarding Day! Check out their site to see where you can join in.

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Young London-based photographer Nicolette Clara Iles has finally gotten around to trying out the Lomochrome Purple, and she has graciously shared with us the results. Have a look at her lovely photos after the jump!

This article is a tribute to the photojournalist Bernard Cahier, the greatest Formula 1 photographer known as the "Cartier-Bresson of Motor Racing" for his great ability in capturing the right moment. Here, I'll feature a series of photos that I took at the Monza Grand Prix with a timeless black and white film! Take a look after the jump!

The great American photographer David Burnett is famous for his unusual photos of sports competitions. He uses a tilt-shift lens to create miniature fakes, or a simple Holga camera to shoot in black and white. To write this tribute, I used my Holga to take some pictures of amateur sport activities around my city. Take a look after the jump.